Colon cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the U.S., but some colon cancers can be prevented with regular testing. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so there isn’t a better time to learn about colon cancer and get tested – it could save your life.
For those 50 or older, it’s time to talk to your doctor about getting tested for colon cancer.
The American Cancer Society® recommends that everyone 50 and older should be tested regularly, and people who have colon cancer in their families should talk to their doctor about getting tested earlier.
Although colorectal cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the U.S., some colon cancers can be prevented with regular testing. But, many people are not getting the tests that could save their lives – perhaps because the procedure seems embarrassing.
But colon cancer screening tests aren’t that bad. Some of the tests, including the colonoscopy, can help doctors find polyps, small growths in the colon that can lead to cancer. Colonoscopy is often recommended because it looks at the entire colon, and because if a polyp is found, it can be removed during the procedure. Colonoscopy can be somewhat uncomfortable, but it is not painful. Don’t wait, talk to your doctor today about screening tests and how often to have them.
To learn more about the steps you can take to stay well, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345, or visit their website.